UnreliableBy Andyon 12/31/2014

Andy wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I used the controller for a few years no problem. I bought the director and now my lights are unreliable. Some nights they don't turn off and some times never on. Don't buy this crap if you value your corals. Just not worth it.

HorribleBy Mikeyon 12/11/2014

Mikey wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

This product makes sense until it arrives in the mail. Then, it just does NOT work. Sorry, great idea, but horrible execution, clearly no QA/QC on this one.

Don't Listen to the NaysayersBy Dannyon 12/6/2014

Danny would recommend this product to a friend

I was skeptical of purchasing this product after all the negative reviews. I nearly didn't because of them. After receiving the controller I did all the updates and started messing with the spectrum. I had the lights for 3 months with only the ability to turn them on through their 6 preset modes and discovered with the controller that my white and royal blue spectrum were not functioning. It took a long time to complete the updates required but no longer than an update on a video game console. The best part is that when I reported my failed spectrum on the Hydras to AI, they sent me two new lights with pre paid return shipping no questions asked. I reported it on a Monday and had two new lights by Thursday. I will always buy in confidence with this company based on their customer service.

Stay Away By Thinker 23on 11/17/2014

Thinker 23 wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

Unstable, nothing but problems. Stay away or be prepared for a frustrating experience

Wasn't thoroughly tested by AIBy Great in theoryon 5/5/2014

Great in theory wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

The idea of this product is great... control your lights from your computer or phone. Except I think AI released the product without testing it appropriately. Since the day I purchased this product my lights have not worked properly. The director does not connect wirelessly (I have it connected to ethernet), the power is continuously lost which makes my light malfunction (they'll stay on all day or not turn on at all), updating the firmware continuously fails, I've had to reset my lights and director at least once a day since I bought it, I've spent days at a time without lights on my tank because I had to disconnect the power (or the lights would stay on all night). I could go on but the point is that this product was a waste of money.

All in all, if you're set on AI, I would go for the controller. Stay away from the director.

Not what it should be By Frankon 4/1/2014

Frank wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I would not get this unit at this point, their are software issues. Your lights will not work right. But you need to wait for the large software update this could come out with in the next few weeks.
And then I don't know if this is the way to go at this point. But for the money this is what you get issue after issue as for calling AI they try to help you but the tech are tide as well. not right for this company to do this. And as for anyone who' s don't have the money to spend this is what you will get is issue. Not what I would have thought I deal with.

Takes time, but i now trust it to workBy Alexon 3/11/2014

Alex would recommend this product to a friend

I was very disappointed when i purchased the director, and ended up using the other controller i had.

The next day, a new update was available fixing the bugs i was having, what a "coincidence"!

Now that i have set up the system, and contacted customer service after having minor problems that were my fault, everything now works.

I believe that it is best to factory reset ALL the lights you own BEFORE you hook them up to the director, then update the firmware. I had problems before i did, and no longer have problems after resetting them.

Easy to UseBy Victoron 3/11/2014

Victor would recommend this product to a friend

The Director made setting up my Hydra's easy, it did have a few bugs with the wireless, maybe because it wasn't connecting to my wireless AP, I was able to solve that issue by wiring it up to my network.

A little disappointedBy Mikeon 3/2/2014

Mike would recommend this product to a friend

I bought this to control my Vegas figuring it would give me all the controllability that was promised with the Vegas. NOT....You have the same level of control as you do with Hydras. Bottom line...I could have saved $300 buying 3 Hydra fixtures and got purple and uv to boot. I spoke with AI about this and the promise more features will become available with future firmware upgrades but this has left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I didnt have any trouble connecting it to the internet or my lights as mentioned in other reviews. I guess overall I'm pleased with the Director it is much better than the previous controller option.

Love it but make sure you get the latest firmwareBy HMon 1/31/2014

HM would recommend this product to a friend

When I first got it I had problems we it from a faulty cable to requiring a manual update. But the AI support is really great. I alway got a response the same day.

I've had It up for about 2 months now and my corals are really responding great. I have my weather set to match the Barrier reef and it's cool to see the light change everyday. Stormy days are great when you see all the lightning.

Corals really like it too because since installing my flowerpot coral started giving me babies. Never did it before the new light fixture with weather matching and lunar cycle.

Works great after firmware updatesBy Frankon 1/26/2014

Frank would recommend this product to a friend

I ended up going with the AI lights rather than Eco Tech for my new reef. The deciding factor was the whole system would be cheaper. The Hydra 52 has 52 LEDs and 7 channels, and UV lights for $599 and the Radions only have 38 LED's, 6 channels, and no UV for $649. To top it off, the AI director is only $99 compared to $200 for Ecotechs Reef Link.

The director was rushed to market but I bought it later so the firmware updates had already fixed the problems people have experienced. It is basically a little black box that you control with your computer. I wire it directly to my network so I have now experience with issues you may encounter linking it to your wifi.

could be better By anthonyon 1/21/2014

This product was nicely packaged, reminded me of the apple tv. the product was sleek and very clean, something you could put anywhere without creating an ugly area.

Now...... lets get to business.
It took me 3 days to completely set up the director. The firmware is not up to date with any WEP security or any updated systems for that matter. you would have to directly connect your director to the router via ethernet. This takes about 4-6 hours to update (on its own) and then you have to connect via wifi and wait another 1-2 hours for the software updates. AI was very helpful with this process so props to them on that. The little time i got to actually use the software of the director on my hydra it seemed very smooth but a little confusing if you have no working experience with computers and basic software manipulation. The stop/ start cycle game me some real issues as it would not start from the beginning of the day instead it would start at 4 instead of 1. This problem could of been easily adjusted but i did not have time or the patience as the humming of the hydra tempted me to throw it out the window. after i could no longer stand the sound emitting from my hydra i decided to return the whole setup after AI told me that this hummin/buzzin was normal and tested to a "tolerable" level. Good luck i hope they fix all the kinks

On the fenceBy BAJABon 1/21/2014

BAJAB wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

It was a little frustrating at first to get it configured, but will stabilize once you're able to update the firmware (which could take a day to show up as an option). The only bug that I'm dealing with now is the "manual" function sometimes does not working on my mobile device. I bought this for the new Hydra 52 which is an excellent light, but it is severely handicapped without this controller so I really didn't have a choice, which is a little upsetting and a slap in the face given the bugs that I had to deal with.

JunkBy Ryanon 1/5/2014

Ryan wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

don't bother , its so hard to use and messes up way to much to be worth it. use the small controller instead.

I give upBy Reefinon 12/30/2013

Reefin wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I was selected for the beta test and had a ton of problems early. Of course it being a beta test I expected it. Here we are several months later and I have had nothing but problems. Wifi connectivity is horrible and will not stay online. Getting it to update was a problem. Then when I finally got in and spent several hours trying to set the how I wanted them I thought I was finished. Then the lights suddenly just turned off. I pulled the lap top back out and fired up the website again. It had reversed all of my settings and didn't save a thing. I give up on this waste of $100.

Works great if you give it a chanceBy Davidon 12/28/2013

David would recommend this product to a friend

If you plug it in and expect it to work out of the box, you are going to have some issues. It does take some work to set it up, and you have to keep it near your wireless router. Over the last 2 months it only went offline once, but any power surge or router reset my disrupt the connection. You have to be mindful that the product is dependent on other hardware, but it looks beautiful and works like a charm. Now if only they could get the android app done.

Nothing but problemsBy Seanon 12/26/2013

Sean wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I have had nothing but problems with this controller. Out of the 16 days that I've had it it's worked properly maybe 3 full days. It's constantly shutting down and losing connection. AI is trying to help out with getting everything up and running so I'll give it one star for that.but the director itself is a piece of junk.

Call customer serviceBy Hairyon 12/25/2013

Hairy would recommend this product to a friend

It was impossible for me to set up wirelessly, due to old router. When I plugged in Ethernet cable I was able to manipulate lights through computer.
Called customer service and they had me up and running in less then an hour. Several firmware updates were needed.
You can play with lights through app but not as much as I would like. You set up timers with computer, which is awesome.
I would like to be able to adjust more and be able to revert back with the app for when I screw up but that will come in future

Great Control, Easy to UseBy Typlus5on 12/19/2013

Typlus5 would recommend this product to a friend

Not extremely intuitive to set up but now that I'm used to it, I love it. (Reminds me of my Apex). No comparison to the old controller, the wifi based iOS control from my iPad/iPhone is very easy. I've never lost the connection so not sure what the other reviewers are speaking about. I'd buy it again.

Good Idea... Bad productBy SBon 12/16/2013

SB wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I have spent hours trying to get this to work and received semi-automated email responses to help inquiries from AI. Very poor customer service.

They have the right idea and I appreciate any improvement on the original controller (which is just horrendous) but this falls painfully short.

They should hire someone from Sonos. if I can control my home audio speakers from my phone I should be able to control my lights.

Save yourself the grief and go with a different brand of lights all together.

No instructions, loses connection often, no basic program to editBy Ssandokon 12/11/2013

Ssandok would recommend this product to a friend

Best option out there for AI lights, but not sure that says much.

Constantly loses connection. Doesn't have clear instructions. Would have rather had a basic program to start off with and then edit from there.

Ai you can do much better. Much.

This is a junk product, please stay away.By Chrison 12/6/2013

Chris wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

Well, after all the poor reviews I decided to try anyway because I have over $1000 in lights that I can't control thanks to the garbage options the AI vega give.

Aqua Illuminations is just not a quality company and this director constantly loses connection, has poor software and the product is just cheaply made.

Finally!By Breton 12/6/2013

Bret would recommend this product to a friend

I have two Vegas and was using the original F-ing piece of S controller.
This new controller is a dream come true. I think Steve Jobs came back from the dead to design it...it's that good!
Worth every penny.